"Many changes have gone into the SUSE Linux operating system since version 10.1, including a name change: the entire operating system is now known only as openSUSE. All of those changes appear to have been for the better - openSUSE 10.2 is as great a release as 10 was - but despite the improvements and bug fixes, there are still several underlying problems that prevent openSUSE 10.2 from being competitive with commercial desktop operating systems."

A one size fits all installation method is not always ideal and personally I dislike it. Fair enough it makes it easy for certain groups of people e.g. newbies to install Linux, but for someone who needs total control over the installation and what gets installed, such an approach is no good.

A one size fits all installation method is not always ideal and personally I dislike it

That's why Ubuntu has the second install CD for power users who want total control over the install. I agree that this method of install should remain. I am not suggesting that the live install replace the detailed installers, but that all distros should adopt the live installer as an option. The live CD is also a good way to test compatability with your machine (such as on laptops).

Yes are right about using live discs to test hardware. Ubuntu indeed has the alternate installation disc, but the last time I used it, you did not have any choice with regards to package selection like you do in openSUSE, Fedora, Mandriva etc.